Egypt sentences activist Sanaa Seif to 18 months in prison Seif, who had been in pretrial detention since June, was convicted Wednesday of spreading false news and misusing social media. Egypt
Ukraine rejects Iran's final report on downed passenger plane The Iranian government said last year's shooting down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was the result of a human error. Iran
Iran operating new advanced centrifuges, nuclear watchdog finds According to an International Atomic Energy Agency report, Iran is now using IR-4 centrifuges to enrich uranium in violation of the nuclear accord. Iran
UN says Libya arms embargo 'totally ineffective' A United Nations panel of experts accused several member states, including Turkey and Russia, of fueling the Libyan conflict. Libya
Coronavirus curfew fails to clear Iraqi protest squares Despite a curfew and other restrictions imposed by the Iraqi government to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, Iraq’s major protest squares remain packed with demonstrators. Iraq
Coronavirus revives Gaza's sewing sector as tailors turn out PPE As COVID-19 spreads across the Middle East, Israel is having medical gear made in the Gaza Strip, where clothing manufacturers have shifted production to sorely needed personal protective equipment. Palestine
Syrian students turn to e-learning amid pandemic The opposition-led government in Syria has activated distance learning for students in the areas under its control to help curb the spread of the coronavirus in schools and universities, though some students aren't able to benefit from the program. Syria
Airstrikes on Yemen intensify, shatter hope for peace The latest Saudi-led airstrikes against Houthi positions in the Yemeni capital Sanaa have ended all hopes for peace as the war-torn country braces for the coronavirus pandemic. Saudi Arabia
Intel: What’s next for Russia-Turkey cooperation after Erdogan, Putin call? On April 1, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss potential cooperation in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, the next steps in joint efforts in Syria as well as the developments in Libya. Syria
Turkey finally releases epidemic figures: coronavirus epicenter in Istanbul Turkey’s death toll from the COVID-19 outbreak has hit 356 as political sparring has broken out over rival assistance programs for the poor and the government’s efforts to keep the economy afloat. Turkey
Intel: Soleimani’s successor visits Iraq, then Trump tweets warning to Iran President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday to warn Iran against further attacks on US forces in Iraq — the same day that Iraqi officials told the Associated Press that the new head of the Quds Force had recently visited Baghdad. Iraq
Saudi Arabia imposes 24-hour coronavirus curfew in Mecca, Medina Saudi Arabia has shut down virtually all activity in Mecca and Medina as it fights the global pandemic, and authorities are urging Muslims around the world to delay making travel plans for the hajj this summer. Saudi Arabia
After Trump tweet, Iran warns US about action in Iraq Iranian generals have warned the United States that they will respond if the United States takes action against Iran in Iraq. Iraq
Israel’s defense minister rises to the COVID-19 threat In taking action to combat the coronavirus outbreak in Israel, Defense Minister Naftali Bennett has shown that he can be creative, determined and effective in using the military’s human and technological capabilities. Israel
Rocket fired toward Israel amid coronavirus outbreak in Gaza Hamas weighs escalating confrontation with Israel as COVID-19 cases grow. Palestine
Will Egypt's military corner the coronavirus market? The Egyptian military has begun manufacturing and selling protective masks, which are in short supply through pharmacies. Egypt
